Acura Integra GS-R Coupe

From Acura press: As the entry-level Acura, the Integra embodies all the virtues that have established Acura as one of the leading luxury import brands in the U.S. market. It features superb road manners and excellent handling, an advanced powertrain, an aerodynamic exterior shape and a comfortable, ergonomic cockpit designed to make driving enjoyable and safe. The Integra, like all Acura automobiles, is dedicated to the proposition that driving is its own reward.

The third-generation Acura Integra (introduced in 1994) features a number of technological innovations that enhance performance and handling and provide high levels of safety, durability, efficiency, comfort and ride quality.

The Integra is available as a Sports Coupe or Sports Sedan. For 2001 the Sports Coupe and Sports Sedan come in three trim levels &emdash; LS, GS and GS-R. The ultra-high performance Integra Type R Sports Coupe also returns for 2001, and is discussed in detail in its own section.

The Integra has evolved and matured in its three generations. The Integra offers a comprehensive list of standard luxury, comfort and safety features. It features a standard driver's and front passenger's air bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) in all models. Additionally, features such as an AM/FM/CD six-speaker audio system, a power moon roof, windows, door mirrors and locks, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) and a lumbar/height/tilt adjustment for the driver's seat are all standard equipment.

The GS-R model features a 1.8-liter engine equipped with the Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) system pioneered in the Acura NSX. It also features Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI), a dual-stage intake system, a knock sensor, a crankshaft reinforcing bridge, oil jet piston cooling and a number of other innovations to improve reliability, durability and smoother operation. All this adds up to 170 horsepower at 7600 rpm and 128 lb-ft of torque at 6200 rpm. These impressive figures give it one of the highest specific outputs of any normally aspirated engine sold.

The Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) system, first pioneered in the Acura NSX, works similar performance magic in the Integra GS-R. As the performance of the NSX has already been amply demonstrated, VTEC is an innovative solution to an age-old automotive engineering problem. It elegantly solves the trade-off between tuning an engine for either high-end horsepower or low-end torque. With VTEC, engineers no longer have to compromise between the two. VTEC-equipped engines can have the best of both, especially when the system works in conjunction with the dual-stage intake manifold.